Israeli Teachers Union Ends Labor Dispute After Securing Key Agreements with Government

The Israeli Teachers Union, led by Chairman Ran Erez, announced on Wednesday the cancellation of the labor dispute declared in May following a series of agreements reached with the Ministries of Finance and Education. Key achievements include the cancellation of salary deductions for teachers due to the June 8 war day, the continuation of a five-day school week format until 2028, increased bonuses for physics teachers, and new annual grants for educators teaching in inclusive classrooms with special education students.

A significant part of the agreement addresses grants for teachers in inclusive classrooms, who will receive annual bonuses retroactive to September 1, 2025: 600 shekels for classrooms with one special needs student and 2,000 shekels for those with two or more. This move recognizes the additional workload and responsibility these teachers bear. Despite school closures on June 8, teachers continued to prepare high school students for matriculation exams through online instruction.

The agreement also ensures that schools already operating or transitioning to a five-day week with five hours of home study will maintain this schedule at least until the end of 2028. Additionally, the wage supervisor’s directive to end home study hours was revoked. The matriculation bonus for physics teachers teaching the advanced 5-unit level will double from 2% to 4%, aligning their compensation with chemistry teachers. Due to a shortage of teachers and rising retirements, the early retirement quota will increase from 320 to 350 teachers.

Furthermore, during the 2026-2027 school year, high school teachers will be required to cover up to four hours of substitute teaching as needed, coordinated with the teacher. Ran Erez emphasized that the union had achieved most of its goals and would continue negotiations on unresolved issues. He criticized Education Minister Yoav Kish’s opposition to the union, stating it would only cause harm and that the union is committed to correcting injustices it helped address.